28SQN XO, SQNLDR Phil Moss, accepted a plaque from Chief Minister Jon Stanhope on behalf of the Squadron. With him are firefighters, CPL Paul Thorpe (left) and CPL Mick Burns (right).

No. 28 Squadron, along with representatives of other ACT firefighting branches, was honoured in Canberra's civic centre recently with a plaque presented by the ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope.

The Air Force received recognition for members' outstanding efforts fighting fires in and around the ACT during the Christmas break.

Thanks to No. 28 (City of Canberra) Squadron, the Air Force was one of around 30 organisations involved in the firefighting campaign during the ACT's bushfires.

28SQN supplied a fire-tanker and crew to the bushfire emergency.

Canberrans were given an opportunity to thank firefighters, volunteers and support staff involved in the emergency with a Civic Reception on Tuesday, 19 February.

The reception saw ACT residents cheer on the many people who gave up their holidays to fight the fires that destroyed more than 1600 hectares of Canberra bushland, forests and nature parks.

A range of emergency vehicles were on display during the day, including a fire truck, ambulance and police rescue van. The Snowy Hydro Southcare helicopter flew overhead.